Management practices to keep a “clean” flock can be supported by joining the Premium Health Scheme (EAE) run by SAC Veterinary Services or the Highlands and Islands Sheep Health Scheme which is jointly organized by HISHA and SAC Veterinary Services.

Oxytetracycline can be used to treat in-lamb ewes during an outbreak to reduce the number of abortions.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasma gondiiis the most successful parasite worldwide, capable of infecting all warm blooded animals including humans. The cat and members of the cat family are definitive hosts of the parasite and infected cats can shed Toxoplasma oocysts (eggs) in their faeces.

Toxoplasma oocysts have a tough outer shell and can survive in the environment in moist temperate conditions for 12-18 months.

Sheep may become infected from ingesting infective oocysts on pasture or in contaminated feed and water. Once ingested the parasite multiplies within the animal and persists within tissue cysts in brain, heart and muscle.

In pregnant sheep if the parasite infects the animal for the first time, Toxoplasma can cause disease in the placenta and the developing foetus. Infection of sheep early in pregnancy may result in abortion, whereas infection later in pregnancy may cause still birth, mummified foetus or birth of a live but weak lamb.

Following infection sheep develop immunity against the parasite which will protect them against disease in a subsequent pregnancy.

There is an effective vaccine to prevent congenital toxoplasmosis in sheep (Toxovax® produced by Intervet Schering Plough Animal Health), which should be administered 3 weeks prior to mating.

Toxoplasma may also be transmitted to humans from the ingestion of oocysts or from eating undercooked meat containing parasite tissue cysts. Pregnant women and immuno-compromised individuals are major risk groups and should also avoid contact with ewes at lambing time.

The full news sheet for any of the disease summaries can be ordered from the Moredun Foundation by using the following request form. The first news sheet title requested is free*, further news sheet titles are charged at £5.00 per copy (including postage).

*offer limited to one news sheet title per postal address in any one year. After that each news sheet will be charged at the standard price of £5.00 (including postage).

Moredun Membership Scheme

Moredun runs a membership scheme which aims to keep farmers and their vets up to date with the latest developments in animal health research. If you are interested in becoming a member of the Moredun Foundation, please click here.